FAO food price index declined 19% in 2015

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), prices of major food commodities declined for the fourth year in a row in 2015, averaging 19.1% below their previous-year’s levels, as the dwindling global economy also triggered sharp price falls from metals to energy markets. FAO’s Food Price Index averaged 164.1 points over 2015 and ended the year even lower, at 154.1 points during the month of December. The FAO Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index tracking international market prices for five key food commodity groups: major cereals, vegetable oils, dairy, meat, and sugar.

In December, the index declined a further 1% from its revised November value, as falling prices for meat, dairy, and cereals more than offset gains by sugar and vegetable oils.

“Abundant supplies in the face of a timid world demand and an appreciating dollar are the main reason for the general weakness that dominated food prices in 2015,” said FAO senior economist Abdolreza Abbassian.

FAO’s Cereal Price Index declined 1.3% in December from its November value, due to intensifying export competition among maize producers and expectations of more wheat supplies entering world markets after Argentina removed export taxes. The sub-index, which includes rice, shed 15.4% on average during 2015 from the previous year.

The Dairy Price Index subsided 1% in December, and over the year was 28.5% below its average level in 2014, the sharpest decline of any food commodity. The Meat Price Index dropped by 2.2% in December, prompted by surging pork output in Europe and reduced U.S. demand for imported beef. Over the full year, meat was on average 15.1% cheaper than in 2014.

The Vegetable Oil Price Index rose 2.1% in December, pushed up by uncertainties regarding Brazil’s soybean crop, but over 2015 as a whole was 19% below the previous year. The Sugar Price Index rose 0.6% in December, but was on average 21% lower in 2015 than the previous year.